Zhou Kaiqi, Richard Constance, Zhai Yusen, Li Dan, Fry Hannah
Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA.
Wisconsin Center for Education Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2025 Aug 26;15(9):170. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe15090170.
Assistive technology (AT) can support autistic adults in navigating employment-related challenges. However, limited research has explored autistic adults' actual needs and experiences with AT in the workplace. Existing studies often overlook how well current AT solutions align with the real-world demands autistic adults face across the employment process. To address this gap, this study conducted a needs assessment to explore autistic adults' perceived AT and AT service needs across employment stages, identify satisfaction and discontinuation patterns, and examine barriers and facilitators to effective use. A total of 501 autistic adults were recruited through an online crowdsourcing platform, Prolific. Participants completed a needs assessment that included Likert-scale items and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and weighted needs scoring procedures. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses regarding satisfaction, discontinuation, and general reflections on AT use. Job retention received the highest total weighted needs score, followed closely by skill development and job performance. Participants reported lower perceived needs for AT in the job development and placement domain. Qualitative findings revealed that AT was described as essential for daily functioning and independence, but barriers such as limited access, inadequate training, and social stigma affected use. Participants also emphasized the need for more person-centered and context-specific AT services. AT has the potential to significantly enhance employment outcomes for autistic adults. However, current services often lack personalization and alignment with real-world needs. Findings support the development of more inclusive, tailored, and accessible AT solutions across all employment stages.
辅助技术（AT）可以帮助成年自闭症患者应对与就业相关的挑战。然而，针对成年自闭症患者在工作场所对辅助技术的实际需求和体验的研究却很有限。现有研究往往忽视了当前的辅助技术解决方案与成年自闭症患者在整个就业过程中所面临的现实需求的契合程度。为了填补这一空白，本研究进行了一项需求评估，以探讨成年自闭症患者在就业各个阶段对辅助技术及其服务的感知需求，确定满意度和停用模式，并研究有效使用辅助技术的障碍和促进因素。通过在线众包平台Prolific招募了501名成年自闭症患者。参与者完成了一项需求评估，其中包括李克特量表项目和开放式问题。使用描述性统计和加权需求评分程序对定量数据进行了分析。对有关辅助技术使用的满意度、停用情况和总体反馈的定性回答进行了主题分析。工作保留获得了最高的总加权需求得分，其次是技能发展和工作表现。参与者报告称，在职业发展和安置领域对辅助技术的感知需求较低。定性研究结果表明，辅助技术被认为对日常功能和独立性至关重要，但诸如获取受限、培训不足和社会污名等障碍影响了其使用。参与者还强调需要更多以人为本、因地制宜的辅助技术服务。辅助技术有潜力显著改善成年自闭症患者的就业成果。然而，当前的服务往往缺乏个性化，与现实需求不符。研究结果支持在所有就业阶段开发更具包容性、量身定制且易于获取的辅助技术解决方案。
